Metallic railway-tie.



E. G. FRICKE.

METALLIC RAILWAY TIE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.15. m5.

1 1 9, 1 9 Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

ERNEST G. FRICKE, OF PENNOCK, MINNESOTA.

METALLIC RAILWAY-TIE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, rare.

App1ication filed April 15, 1915. Serial No. 21,533.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST G. FRIOKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pennock, in the county of Kandiyohi and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Railway-Ties, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to railways, and more particularly to an improved tie and fastening means therefor.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a railway tie which is simple in construction, cheap to manufacture, and one which is strong and durable.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved fastening means associated with the tie which will positively retain a rail in position thereon.

A still further object of my invention resides in the provision of improved means associated with the fastening means whereby, should the fastening means become loosened, spreading of the rails is practically impossible.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved cushioning means associated with the tie, my improved tie being preferably formed of bendable metal and having as a cushioning means mentioned a pair of blocks preferably wooden and insertible beneath the rails for the purpose specified.

With the above and other objects in view my invention resides preferably in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forth in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of my improved railway-tie showing in transverse section the standard rails clamped in position. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the clamping members, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the retaining bolts which I prefer to illustrate.

Similar reference characters indicate similar parts throughout the various views of the drawings.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which the preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated, my improved railway tie comprises a body preferably formed of bendable metal, said body being substantially rectangular in cross section and having a top wall 1 and side walls 2 and 3, said side Walls 2 and 3 being bent inwardly to provide longitudinal flanges 4: and 5 respectively, which afiord a bottom retaining wall. It will be readily understood that the body may be of cast metal, but the preferred construction is to form the same of sheet metal as stated above.

The retaining means for the rails is in duplicate on each tie and therefore I will describe the clamping means for but one rail. Upon reference to Fig. 1, it will be noted that a railway rail is shown having a head 6, Web 7, and base 8, all formed in the usual manner and disposed in position on my improved tie. In order to more readily dispose the rails on my improved tie and clamp the same in position, the top wall 1 is apertured as indicated by the numeral 9. The side walls 2' and 3 are cut away at 10, co-incident with the aperture 9. The apertures 9 are preferably rectangular in configuration, and it will be noted that a rail base such as that shown in Fig. 1 will be readily and quickly receivable in the seat thus provided. A plurality of upstanding lugs 11 and 12 are provided on the marginal edges of the apertures 9 in order to further prevent dislodgment of a rail should the fastening means hereinafter described become loosened.

The clamping members of my invention, one of which is illustrated to advantage in Fig. 4, comprise each a plate 13 having an aperture 14 therein, said plate 13 also having a pair of inclined flanges or gripping jaws 15 formed adjacent the marginal edges thereof, said jaws 15 being adapted for engagement with the inclined surface of the rail base 8. Securing bolts 16 are provided having heads 17 of substantially U-shaped configuration as shown to advantage in Fig. 5. In order to adjust the clamping plates 18 to and from the rail base 8 before clamping, I provide elongated apertures 18 in the top wall 1 of the body of the tie through which the bolts 16 are disposed, said bolts 16 passing through the apertures 14: in the plate 13 and being secured in position by nuts 19 as shown to advantage in Figs. 1 and 3. There are preferably two clamping members 13for each rail, the same being adjustable to different thicknesses of rail base so as to readily facilitate the clamping of a rail in position.

As shown to advantage in Figs. 1 and 3 cushioning members comprising blocks of wood or the like are disposed beneath the bases of the rail so as to prevent undue shock on the tie and to allow for expansion and contraction. Expansion and contraction of the rail as well as the tie is allowed by the inherent resiliency of the clamping plates 18, said clamping plates when in clamp ng position extending between the upstanding lugs 11 and 12 as shown to advantage in Figs. 2 and 3, said lugs serving to prevent lateral displacement of the clamplng members 13.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, 1t is thought that a clear and comprehensive understanding of the construction, use, and

advantages'of my invention may be readlly gathered. It will be noted that the flanges 4 and 5 serve to strengthen and tend toward a rigidity of construction, as well as serving to retain the blocks 20 in position, longitudlnal movement of the blocks being prevented by contact with the heads 17 of the clamping bolts 16. In disposition of' a rail in position, it is preferable that the clamping plates 13 which are on. the gage side of the rails should be placed in position. The blocks 20 are now inserted from opposite ends of the tie, these ends being open, and disposed in their relative positions. A rail may now be placed beneath the clamping plates which are in position and seated upon the blocks 20 and in the recesses 10. The remaining clamping plates are now placed in position, and the nuts tightened. In forming the apertures 9, it is'preferable that they be formed at a distance apart which will insure the proper gaging of the rails although the size of the apertures 9 should preferablybe sufficient to allow of a slight movement of the rails above mentioned in order to gage-the same, after which'they may be clamped in position.

While I have shown and described my invention as possessing a peculiar form and construction, it is desired'that it be understood that I may make such changesin the details thereof that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination, a railway tie comprising a hollow body, the upper face of said body having spaced openings therein, rail supporting and cushioning blocks arranged in the body adjacent the openings, the upper faces of said blocks arranged below the upper face of said body, yieldable clamping members having inclined flanged portions engageable with the rail base whereby the latter will be maintained in position.

2. In combination, a railway tie comprising a hollow body, the upper face of said body having spaced openings formed therein, rail supporting and cushioning blocks arranged in the body adjacent the openings, the upper faces of said blocks arranged below the upper face of said body, yieldable clamping members having depending angular side portions adapted for engagement with the rail base whereby the latter will be maintained in position, and means for seouring said clamping members to the hollow body.

3. In combination, a railway tie comprising a hollow body,'the upper face of said body having spaced openings therein, rail supporting and cushioning blocks arranged. in the body adjacent the openings, yieldable clamping members having depending angular sides arranged upon one end thereof for engagement with the rail base whereby the latter will be maintained in position, and means for securing said clamping members to said hollow body.

4;. In combination, a railway tie comprising a hollow body, spaced openings arranged within the upper face of said body, rail supporting and cushioning blocks positioned within the body adj aoent the openings, yieldable clamping members having depending inclined side portions extending a portion of the length thereof adapted for engagement with the rail base whereby the latter will be maintained in position, and means for seiurng said clamping members to said hollow In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ERNEST G. FRICKE.

Witnesses:

J. A. SWANSAN, W. E. BERGLUND.

Gopies of this patent'inay Be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patent:,

- a 1 Washington, .D. G. 

